Advertisement
Published: January 7th 2009
Edit Blog Post
Nice!
First toilet we came across in Vietnam Days 14-16
Hanoi
On day 13 we continue on through rugged mountain scenery. Here we enter life in the fast lane of Vietnam. By bus we descend through the mountains of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and on to the rural plains of Nghe An Province, before heading north to Hanoi.(approx. 12 hours).
We have plenty of time in the capital, Hanoi, to explore.
---------
Set off early after breakie for the Laos/Vietnamese boarder. Which inturn was not a good experience of the people. They were quite rude and a bit vulcher like hovering round our bags to wait to nick them from us (fun times lol).
After two hours we finally reached the otherside and boarded a mini bus to take us to Hanoi. That was an experience. The drivers there are mad, its like a free for all and horns are the local way of communicating and heard constantly.
Arrived Hanoi about 8pm and checked into The Victory Hotel. After plonking down our bags we went out for a bit to eat as it was fairly late hardly anywhere was open and we went to a really nice looking resturant but they
hardly had anything left. Here we learnt that if they don't understnd you they still say yes. Tim and Fachy ordered the same but it was terrible so they ended up swapping it for something else which when the bill came became very complecated lol. They said they didn't have what I ordered (veggie dumplings) so I reordered and then they didnt have that but because I said I was veggie they then turned round and said they had the dumplings *sigh*. But it turned out that they had stale bread and they fried it - yuck.
Anyway was so tired after the travelling just went to bed.
---------
Had inclusive breakie at a place called Koto. This was amazing. It's a place which helps street kids to get a job and learn how to cook and learn management skills. They also gave me a Chinese New Year envolope was money in it for good luck which I donated back to the organisation plus a bit more money.
After this Tim, Laura and I headed to the old town where they got accosted by two vietnamese women carrying pinapple in scale baskets and plonked them on
their shoulders. It cost 50,000 VND to take their photos before we could escape. This was quite near the big lake where you're suppose to be able to see turtles.
Had a wonder round and went for a drink in a place that resembled a bus station cafe (yuk).
Walked back to the lake and had a water in a resturant over looking it which was very nice. After we walked around the lake in search of the giant turtles but we weren't so lucky and didn't see any. We did see a beautiful temple and a bride and groom having their photos taken.
Stopped for lunch which was lovely food. Went to the toilet after though only to be greeted by a HUGE cockroach charging straight for me, eeeeek and the man serving icecream licked the spoon to warm it up before serving - yum!
Walked back to the hotel and got Nok a card which was card out in the shape of a 'hut' house. Got back and had a chill out before going to the Water Puppet show which was actually very good. Very talented people.
After that we went for dinner
at a very posh resturant as it was our last night was the group 😞 , the food was fantastic! Beryl took a taxi and he wouldn't let her get out without paying 450,000 VND! Needless to say she was shook up.
Gave Nok her card and some money. She loved it. Gave everyone else a Chinese New Year envelope with a little note inside. Made Beryl cry.
After we went for a drink at the Street side 'bar' (when I say street I mean street, plastic chairs on the road and when I say 'bar' I mean someones shop front lol). The toliets were horrid and in someones house :-S
Left pretty quickly and walked back to the hotel and went to sleep. After sorting stuff with Robyn and Micheal who have very kindly said we can stay with them in Syndey for a while!!!
-------
Had breakie in the hotel and went a walk around the hotel area. Realised that we aren't the biggest fans of Hanoi and went back to the hotel and went on the internet whilest Tim went back to bed for a while.
Had lunch (eventually after trying about 10 places) with Fachy and Laura. Being a veggie in Vietnam isn't easy and the food isn't really filling, it's more like what a cow would eat (grass).
After this we went to the war museum which was a very good insight into what happned! Some of the bombs which were used were ridiculous. Lots of interesting things to see and do. We went up the flag tower and wondered how it lasted the war with being so high up.
Headed back to the hotel and just played cards for a while with Fachy, Leah and Laura.
Got showered and headed down to meet the 'New' group which turned out just to be Tim, Leah, Fachy and I! Went to Koto for dinner and it gave me a hope for veggies in Vietnam, had a green banana casserole which was gorgeous I even want to make it at home! The new leader seems nice, she is also called Leya. Filled out all the forms and paid the local payment.
Headed back to the hotel and went to bed with excitment in our bodies to get away from Hanoi and with much hope for Ha long Bay.
-------
Had inclusive breakie at hotel and got a public bus (the first of the journey so far) to Ha long Bay (about 4 hours) - very cramped!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.128s; Tpl: 0.01s; cc: 13; qc: 47; dbt: 0.0432s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb